Development of a competition index for young conifer plantations established on boreal mixedwood sites

1991 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Morris ◽  
G. B. MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Accurate Estimate ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Competition Index ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Hemispherical Photographs ◽  
Bare Root

A competition index was developed, and then used to examine the relationships between perennial competition and plantation performance. Species included were white spruce, black spruce, and jack pine for both over-wintered containers and bare root stock. A total of fifteen four-year-old plantations were used in this study representing a range of soil textures located on boreal mixedwood sites in northern Ontario.Effective canopy cover, derived from vertical hemispherical photographs taken at the base of seedling leaders, provided an accurate estimate of the perennial woody competition affecting seedling diameter growth. Initial seedling size, defined by the stem volume at time of planting, proved to be an important covariate in the analysis.Using the relationship between effective canopy cover and seedling root collar diameter, the following questions regarding vegetation control decision-making were addressed: 1) jack pine was more sensitive to increased levels of competition, 2) over-wintered container stock were more sensitive than their larger bare root counterparts, 3) minimal differences occurred in the pattern of growth response to competition across the range of soil textures studied, and 4) early tending treatments should be concentrated on jack pine plantations or on spruce plantations with an effective canopy cover in excess of 60. Key Words: competition index, hemispherical photographs, boreal plantations, white spruce, black spruce, jack pine, tending guidelines.

Environmental and physiological control of needle conductance for bare-root black spruce, white spruce, and jack pine seedlings on boreal cutover sites

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 943-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven C. Grossnickle ◽  
Terence J. Blake
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Water Status ◽  
Stomatal Closure ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Bare Root

A study was conducted to examine the influence of environmental conditions of boreal cutover sites on plant water status and needle conductance of newly planted bare-root black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss.), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) seedlings. As absolute humidity deficit between the needles and air (AHD) increased, xylem pressure potentials (ψx) became most negative in black spruce, intermediate in white spruce, and least negative in jack pine seedlings. Needle conductance (gwv) was strongly related to AHD in all three species, with increasing AHD resulting in a decrease in gwv. However, at low levels of AHD, gwv values for black and white spruce seedlings were approximately 50 and 25% higher, respectively, than those for jack pine seedlings. For black and white spruce seedlings, gwv decreased as ψx became more negative, while jack pine gwv responded to more negative ψx with a threshold for stomatal closure at approximately −1.7 MPa. In all three species, increasing photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) resulted in greater gwv at all AHD levels. However, at high AHD levels, gwv, response to PAR was suppressed. The findings of this study indicate species differences in physiological response to atmospheric conditions under nonlimiting soil moisture conditions. The implications for successful reforestation are discussed.

scholarly journals Cold hardiness of white spruce, black spruce, jack pine, and lodgepole pine needles during dehardening

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1116-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongzhou Man ◽  
Pengxin Lu ◽  
Qing-Lai Dang
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Pine Needles ◽  
Late Winter

Conifer winter damage results primarily from loss of cold hardiness during unseasonably warm days in late winter and early spring, and such damage may increase in frequency and severity under a warming climate. In this study, the dehardening dynamics of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex. Loud), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) were examined in relation to thermal accumulation during artificial dehardening in winter (December) and spring (March) using relative electrolyte leakage and visual assessment of pine needles and spruce shoots. Results indicated that all four species dehardened at a similar rate and to a similar extent, despite considerably different thermal accumulation requirements. Spring dehardening was comparatively faster, with black spruce slightly hardier than the other conifers at the late stage of spring dehardening. The difference, however, was relatively small and did not afford black spruce significant protection during seedling freezing tests prior to budbreak in late March and early May. The dehardening curves and models developed in this study may serve as a tool to predict cold hardiness by temperature and to understand the potential risks of conifer cold injury during warming–freezing events prior to budbreak.

scholarly journals Deep Planting Has No Short- or Long-Term Effect on the Survival and Growth of White Spruce, Black Spruce, and Jack Pine

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Paquette ◽  
Jean-Pierre Girard ◽  
Denis Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Planting Depth ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Tukey Honestly Significant Difference

Abstract Although studies in the past have reported that the deeper planting of conifers has no effect on seedling performance, most planting guidelines in use today still recommend that seedlings be planted to the rootcollar. Past studies were mostly observational, used bareroot seedlings, and often reported early results from just one or two depths of planting treatments. Most of the results available regarding planting depth for boreal species are anecdotal, although they are planted by the hundreds of millions every year. The present study reports no short-term (1 year) or long-term (15 to 19 years) negative effect of planting depth on the survival and height and diameter growth of black spruce, white spruce, and jack pine seedlings over three large, replicated experiments in the boreal forest of eastern and northern Quebec (eastern Canada). Four different depth treatments were compared, from manual planting at the rootcollar to the deepest mechanical planting treatment at 10 cm or more, making this the largest, longest-lasting study of its kind. Although, as expected, important differences in growth were present between species, all three commonly planted conifers reacted similarly to the planting depth treatments (no effect). This result can in part be attributed to an almost perfect control of frost heaving in the deepest two treatments. Planting depth effects were assessed using analysis of variance, multiple Tukey honestly significant difference, and uncorrected pairwise one-tailed t-tests to increase the probability of detecting a negative effect. Absolute differences and effect sizes (generally small and often positive with greater depths) were also analyzed.

Container Volume Affects Survival and Growth of White Spruce, Black Spruce, and Jack Pine Seedlings: A Literature Review

1988 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Craig Sutherland ◽  
Robert J. Day
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Production Phase ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Survival And Growth

Abstract This paper is the first general review of the affects of container volume on the survival and growth of containerized white spruce, black spruce, and jack pine seedlings. The review shows that the literature on this topic is fragmentary and inconsistent. Seedling growth in the greenhouse production phase has been more completely quantified than subsequent establishment and growth after out-planting in the field. In the greenhouse production phase, seedling growth increased from 72 to 360% when the container volume was tripled in size. After outplanting in the field, seedling growth trends were more variable. Seedling height growth increased from 34 to 84% when container volume was tripled in size. Seedling survival was more difficult to assess because of limited data. Only white spruce showed a 10% increase in survival with an increase in container volume. The indications from this literature review suggest that nursery managers and practicing foresters should become more aware of the limitations imposed on seedling survival and growth due to container volume. To maintain optional survival and growth for white spruce, black spruce and jack pine, the container volume should range from 90 to 120 cm3. North. J. Appl. For. 5:185-189, Sept. 1988.

Reduction in turgid water volume in jack pine, white spruce and black spruce in response to drought and paclobutrazol

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 701-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Marshall ◽  
R. G. Rutledge ◽  
E. Blumwald ◽  
E. B. Dumbroff
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Water Volume

Critical period of interspecific competition for four northern conifers: 10-year growth response and associated vegetation dynamics

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2474-2485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G Wagner ◽  
Andrew P Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Critical Period ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Red Pine ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Conifer Species ◽  
Stand Volume ◽  
Vegetation Control

The influence of the timing and duration of interspecific competition on planted jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.), and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) was assessed using 10-year growth responses in a northern Ontario experiment. Stand volume was 117%, 208%, 224%, and 343% higher for jack pine, red pine, white pine, and black spruce, respectively, with 5 years of vegetation control than with no vegetation control. Stand volume increased linearly with number of years of vegetation control, and the slope of the relationship varied among conifer species. Change-point regression analysis was used to derive segmented weed-free and weed-infested curves, and to simultaneously estimate key critical-period parameters. Weed-free and weed-infested curves in the 10th year were similar to those derived in year 5, indicating that the patterns established during the first few years after planting were relatively robust for the first decade. The critical-period was 2 and 3 years after planting for jack pine and red pine, respectively, and occupied most of the 5-year period for white pine and black spruce. Principal components analysis of the vegetation community indicated that repeated herbicide applications caused differential shifts in the relative abundance of shrub, fern, and moss species through the 10th year. Species richness, however, was not substantially different between the untreated control and the most intensive treatments. Difference modeling was used to quantify how annual volume increment during the first decade varied with time, conifer species, cover of woody and herbaceous vegetation, and stage of development.

Late Wisconsin Vegetational and Climatic History at Kylen Lake, Northeastern Minnesota

1981 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. B. Birks
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Source Area ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Glacial History ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Pollen Stratigraphy ◽  
Shrub Tundra

AbstractKylen Lake, located within the Toimi drumlin field, is critically positioned in relation to Late Wisconsin glacial advances, for it lies between the areas covered by the Superior and St. Louis glacial lobes between 12,000 and 16,000 yr B.P. The pollen and plant-macrofossil record suggests the presence of open species-rich “tundra barrens” from 13,600 to 15,850 yr B.P. Small changes in percentages of Artemisia pollen between 14,300 and 13,600 yr B.P. appear to be artifacts of pollen-percentage data. Shrub-tundra with dwarf birch, willow, and Rhododendron lapponicum developed between 13,600 and 12,000 yr B.P. Black and white spruce and tamarack then expanded to form a vegetation not dissimilar to that of the modern forest-tundra ecotone of northern Canada. At 10,700 B.P. spruce and jack pine increased to form a mosaic dominated by jack pine and white spruce on dry sites and black spruce, tamarack, and deciduous trees such as elm and ash on moist fertile sites. At 9250 yr B.P. red pine and paper birch became dominant to form a vegetation that may have resembled the dry northern forests of Wisconsin today. The diagram terminates at 8410 ± 85 yr B.P. Climatic interpretation of this vegetational succession suggests a progressive increase in temperature since 14,300 yr B.P. This unidirectional trend in climate contrasts with the glacial history of the area. Hypotheses are presented to explain this lack of correspondence between pollen stratigraphy and glacial history. The preferred hypothesis is that the ice-margin fluctuations were controlled primarily by changes in winter snow accumulation in the source area of the glacier, whereas the vegetation and hence the pollen stratigraphy were controlled by climatic changes in front of the ice margin.

The influence of ultraviolet-B light and carbon dioxide enrichment on the growth and physiology of seedlings of three conifer species

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Yakimchuk ◽  
John Hoddinott
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Relative Magnitude ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Ultraviolet B ◽  
Growth Environment ◽  
Growth Analyses ◽  
Conifer Seedling

Anthropogenic production of CO2 and stratospheric ozone depleting chemicals is altering the plant growth environment. Numerous studies have examined the influence of increasing CO2 and UV-B levels on plant growth and physiology, but few studies examine their interaction. Jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.), black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.R), and white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) were raised in growth rooms from seed for 16 weeks in air with either 350 or 700 μmol•mol−1 of CO2 in the presence or absence of supplemental UV-B irradiation. Classical and functional growth analyses were performed to identify treatment effects. Biomass production in all three species was increased by high CO2 levels while UV-B light reduced it. Shade-intolerant jack pine showed a greater production of UV-B absorbing pigments in UV-B light than did shade-tolerant spruce species. Overall, white spruce was the most sensitive species to both treatment factors. The relative magnitude of the effects in the three species caused by enhanced CO2 and UV-B levels indicate that future conifer seedling growth and competitive ability will be altered by the changing environment.

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